"The most important goal in my life is to have some significant impact in preserving and expanding the realm of personal freedom in the life of this country.” Richard D. Obenshain

New Challengers Emerge?

As hinted in my previous piece, Delegate Todd Gilbert of Shenandoah County could also be facing a Republican primary challenger this election cycle. The 15th district, which Mr. Gilbert has represented since 2006, includes Shenandoah and Page Counties as well as a portion of Warren and Rockingham Counties. As reported in today’s issue of the Daily News Record, Mark Prince, a retired airline pilot from northern Shenandoah County may seek the nomination as well. Should Mr. Prince choose to run, his central issues are, as of yet, unknown.

Last night at the meeting of the Harrisonburg Tea Party, I had the opportunity to meet with Mark Berg, a 10th district representative on the Virginia Republican State Central Committee. He announced that he is challenging Beverly Sherwood for the GOP nod in the 29th district. The 29th district, which Ms. Sherwood has represented since 1994, includes the city of Winchester, Frederick County, and a portion of Warren County. As Mr. Berg mentioned, Delegate Sherwood is among a number of Republicans who voted for the recent transportation tax hike, called the largest tax increase in Virginia history.

The Shenandoah Valley is quickly entering uncharted political territory, incumbent legislators facing intraparty challengers. For the nearly two decades that I’ve been involved and active, most elected officials in this region have captured the Republican nomination without question, year after year for as long as they choose to remain in that office. So is 2013 the dawn of a new era of political competition? Will even more candidates emerge to challenge the status quo? Or will this election serve as a mere hiccup in the normal routine? Only time will tell.

3 Responses

I support Todd Gilbert and Mark Berg. Todd had one of the best voting records throughout this last legislative session. Beverly Sherwood had one of the worst records this session, and was also responsible for much of the wrong that was done, due to her committee positions. Mark Berg is a committed constitutional conservative who understands the issues and how to tackle them. Heck, he has even read Obamacare in its entirety, something very few Democrats, much less Republicans, can claim. Mark helped Bob Marshall with the prep work and research for the Healthcare Freedom Act which served as the legal foundation for Cuccinelli’s lawsuit against Obamacare. Mark is highly principled and highly qualified, and I wholeheartedly support him for House of Delegates.

Mr. Gilbert is not an establishment junkie! He is a fine, conservative Delegate who represents and takes care of his district very well. I do not want someone who will be voting on tax hikes or any other idiotic schemes. I will continue to support Mr. Gilbert.